They all have stories about the most misunderstood young man in basketball, scenes and shared experiences that illustrate what the Thunder's three-time All-Star is really all about.

“The only way I can describe it is he's a force of nature when it comes to competition,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said.

This is what you might not know about Russell Westbrook.

On a stage filled with the game's elite and most electrifying point guards, Westbrook wants winning to be what separates him from the pack.

At 24, he's off to a significant head start.

Among the five other point guards selected for Sunday's 62nd NBA All-Star Game, none can claim what Westbrook can: two career conference finals appearances, an NBA Finals appearance and Olympic gold. Add to that, Westbrook already has 24 postseason wins under his belt and a rapidly-improving regular season winning percentage of .586.

“I don't think people know that,” Westbrook said Friday. “They never see it that way. I think when somebody already has a perception of you that's kind of what they're looking for and I think that's just kind of how it is. That's how it's going to be. But my job is to find a way to help my team win.”

Two podiums away from Westbrook as he patiently made his way through a mandatory 27-minute media session — admittedly his least favorite part of All-Star Weekend — was Tony Parker. Another two daises down was Chris Paul. Both commanded significantly more attention than Westbrook, perhaps no coincidence given the public's perception of the Thunder's floor general and how many think he mans the position.